CMSgt. James (Jim) J. Larsen (USAF, Ret.) slipped the surly bonds of earth on June 28, 2017 at his home in Mesa, Arizona.
Born on September 30, 1927 in Milwaukee, WI, James served proudly in the US Navy during WWII, transferring to the US Air Force, where his tours of duty included the Korean War, Japan, Turkey, and several stateside bases. One of his stateside assignments included a stint in Yuma, Arizona, where he returned upon retirement from the Air Force in 1966. He built a successful insurance business, retiring from that endeavor in 1987. Jim will be remembered as a man of great integrity, teaching his children the value of a firm hand shake and solid eye contact while nurturing them with his understated heart of a poet.
Jim was married for 61 years to the one and only love of his life, Nancy E. Larsen, RN, who predeceased him in 2011. Jim is survived by his four children, Christine Yashkus, Vancouver, WA; Robert (Bob) and wife, Nina, Cortez, Colorado; James L. (Jamie) and wife, Liz, Seattle, Washington; and Richard and wife, Janice, Scranton, Pennsylvania; grandchildren, Scott Larsen, Stephani Yashkus, Kimberly Miller, Gatlin Ross, Sam and Sara Larsen, Nathanael, Ezekael, and Naomé Larsen; and 10 great-grandchildren. James was also preceded in death by a grandson, Robert (Bobby) Larsen, Jr
Arrangements were private at the request of the family. If you wish to honor his memory and life of service, the family requests donations be directed to The Veteran’s Heritage Project, whose mission is to connect students with veterans in a nationally renowned oral history and publication program. Veterans Heritage Project, PO Box 22058, Phoenix, AZ, 85028/ph:1-877-847-7765/www.veteransheritage.org